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Theodore Rolfs

photo of Mr. & Mrs. Hans Rolfs in book

Any person who will investigate the facts in the case will be surprised to learn of the proportion of people of Germanic descent now living in the United States. Unquestionably the greatest number of emigrants reaching the shores of the New World comes from that nation, and statistics show that there is more Germanic blood in the United States than any other. This being the fact, it is easy to account for the prosperity and morality of this country. Germany is famous the world over for the industry, patience, intelligence, morality and sturdiness of its citizens. These qualities have been brought to this country by the emigrants and are now part and parcel of our wonderful nation--its progress in domestic economy, its advancement in ever6y branch of material improvement, and its love of country and home.

The subject of this sketch is descended from German ancestry, his father, Hans Rolfs, having been born in Germany on September 10, 1837, while his mother, whose maiden name was Charlotte Laumann and who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 14, 1844, was a daughter of Christian and Margaret Borgelt Laumann, natives of Germany. Her parents left the fatherland for America and eventually made their home at St. Louis, Missouri, in 1847, where their deaths occurred. Hans Rolfs, on arriving in this county <sic>, located in Davenport, Iowa, and on March 12, 1883, he came to Fayette county, where he became the owner of one hundred and seventy-six acres of land, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his attention. His death occurred here on February 20, 1904. In politics he was a stanch Republican, while in religion he and his family were adherents of the German Lutheran church. To him and his wife were born seven children, namely: Louis, John, Theodore, Alvina, Minnie, Herman and Anna.

Theodore Rolfs was born in Scott county, Iowa, on October 21, 1873. He was reared by his parents and secured a good practical education in the public schools of his home neighborhood. He was reared to the life of a farmer and has always devoted himself to this industry. He is thoroughly practical in his methods and has achieved a distinctive success as a husbandman. His home place is near Clermont and comprises one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is owned jointly by him and two brothers. The place is well improved in every respect and is numbered among the best farms in the township.

Politically, Mr. Rolfs is aligned with the Republican party, to which he gives a stanch support, and in the welfare of the community he takes a commendable interest, giving a hearty support to all movements which promise to be of benefit to his fellow citizens. Religiously he is a member of the Lutheran church, to which he gives and earnest and liberal support. He is a gentleman of fine personal qualities and among his large list of acquaintances he numbers many warm and personal friends, who esteem him because of his high personal qualities and genuine worth.

~transcribed for the Fayette Co IAGenWeb Project by Mary Fobian